An appalling after match interview Keith

What any club needs is a manager that has view that he believes in and will strongly argue those views. Such view should have an effect on the players, and it is inevitable that they have views that some fans do not like. Id rather have someone that says it as he sees it rather than pander to what the "fans" think

 

What's this rubbish about "all being tarred with the same brush"? Utter crap. I've heard and read Keith Hill say numerous times that the majority of fans have been excellent but he is concerned about the effect of the vocal minority on the confidence of the players. You really must be incredibly sensitive and somewhat vain if you constantly believe he's talking about you... He's not.

 

I am neither for your information.
Strange that other people feel the same way as i do.

I think Hill's PR is disastrous.
He is the one who has succeeded in alienating a section of the fans .
To purposefully refuse to acknowledge the fans when speaking of how happy he was for himslf, (let's not forget him!) his players etc etc in order to score another point in the 'Us and them' scenario which he himself has created is very, very poor in my opinion.
As Jay quite rightly said, the same fans will be back at Oakwell cheering on the team regardless.
Hill really needs to grow up and value the fans who are the lifeblood of any club.
A club is nothing without its fans.
I wanted him from the start, was incredibly excited at Hillcroft's appointment but the whole thing has got off to a bad start, mainly because of his arrogance and his opening his mouth to criticise the fans, setting up an 'Us and them' scenario.

 

When we looked like we might appoint Keith Hill a number of Rochdale fans kindly advised us on what to expect from Keith Hill. One of the key points they said was that Hill doesn't accept criticism of his players from the stands/internet and he will defend his lads to the death. Personally, I think that's a sign of a good manager (not just in football).

When you come into work your manager could ask you to do x, y and z. "If you do that for me you've done a good job".

Something goes wrong and someone has a go at your manager - he blames you. How would that make you feel? How would you feel if someone who doesn't know what your manager has asked you to do starts critcising you? What if all of the above happens, and to make it worse you've been asked to do your job in a completely different way to how you have done it in the past?

If we're honest, the majority would feel a bit put out by it. As an employee, I'd expect my manager to defend me to the death. Keith Hill has said he has told the lads what he expects from them, I'm certain he's also told them what they can expect from him.

He's simply defending his players when things aren't working out, in the same way that he will reign them back in if they get carried away with victories.

The best thing to do is to draw a line under the whole thing. I like the guy, I like the players he's brought in and if we're honest - would you rather listen to a KH soundbite on the radio or boring Kevin Blackwell saying how great the fans are here at Oakwell.

We're lucky to have him.

 

So you defend your players by attacking the fans?
In your honest opinion do you think that is good policy?

 

With an attitude like Keiths who needs fans....he obviously doesn't.......and I accept I'm a **** fan of a little club and Keith is a top class manager ,I know that because he said so .....on a number of occasions

 

attacking the fans !

where has he 'attacked' the fans
talk about barnsley folk going over the top !
some people like to moan , but when someone replies they don't like it.

 

It isn't KH's "policy" to attack the fans. It's KH's promise to defend the players from criticism that should be aimed at him. He has said in interviews that people can say what they like about him, but the players should be allowed to play without fear of being criticised. KH has also said there are ways of critising the team/him without being over the top. IMO this week has been VERY over the top.

Football is slightly different from a normal working environment, but a lot can be learned from business.

Tina, as you responded to my question with a question - would you care to give me an honest answer to my original post?

 

Don't be daft Glynn.
I'M NOT A MOANER and you know it.
Please do not lump me with the Boo Boys, that is the last thing I am.
I am entitled to say that I don't think Hill's PR is very good.
I have said so and I wil stick by my conviction.
That doesn't mean to say that I don't want theHillcroft as Managers.
I was delighted when they were appointed and I still think they will come good.
I am 100% behind the team, nothing has changed in that respect.

Also, what do you mean when you say: "When someone replies, they don't like it?"
I'm a big advocate for free speech!

 

What point do you actually want me to respond to?

 

Well its a very daft tactic to poor blame on the fans after his team produce three poor home performances, there's protecting the players - yes, but at the expense of alienating the fans - no.

To protect his players all he had to say was "poor performance (again) but we as a team will move on and build from this" Not some random crap about negativity and things being "not the right flavour"

He seems like a bit of a **** to me. Wish him all the best all the same though.

 

How would you feel if your boss asked you to do something different from what you usually do, then after doing what was asked of you outsiders started criticising you (on a very personal level). You may have made a few mistakes, but you've just had your job changed after 2 years of doing it a particular way.

Would you expect your boss to stick up for you?

 

I'm sorry J DB but I had to live with this on a daily basis in my job.
The job changed weekly, monthly, daily, annually etc etc
I'm retired now and thankfully out of the rat race.

My whole point is that I think the PR could have been handled better.
That's all I am saying.

I had a parent chasing me for 3 years trying to turn people gainst me, she failed to do so thankfully and I got very little back up from Management who had far more important things to deal with than a teacher being victimised by a parent.!

I just had to get on with it, but I didn't come out with stuff that would alienate people against me.
In my role I had to be seen to act professionally at all times and rise above it.
That's what I think Keith Hill should do and should have done from the offset, but he is seemingly still fanning the flames of a fire that's already been lit.
As you say, time to draw a line under it all now.

 

I understand what it's like for teachers, believe me...but Keith Hill is asked questions that are published in the media nationally. He has told his players to do things in a particular way and if it doesn't work (for whatever reason) he'll defend them and take the flak.

IMO that is all he is doing, and those who are complaining should consider taking the media with a pinch of salt. I know KH is strong in his opinions, but if you consider the reasons why I think it's a lot easier to understand. Good managers (not just football managers) recognise when their employees are under pressure, when they've done what they're asked and when they need a kick up the arse. I'm sure KH does all in good measure.

I can understand your point about alienating the fans, but I genuinely think those who feel alienated will be turned back around if they give the team a chance. Hopefully this week has been a chance for everything to come to the surface and we can draw a line under it - collectively.

Onwards and upwards now we're all back together again!

 

Superb point.

 

I am happy to draw a line under it all now.
I have had my say and that's it.
I'll still be there, home and away as usual.

 

I think some fans have only really listened to the negative stuff Hill has said about the fans and chosen to ignore his other comments. He was very grateful and appreciative of the cards, presents and good wishes he'd received after his wife gave birth and in another interview he definitely commented on how good the majority of fans had been. He's not daft, he knows most folk will give him time and not demand immediate results, but he's not happy with the boo boys who might jeopardise the players' confidence on the pitch. I agree he hasn't handled the pressure that well and has maybe said one or two things he may regret; following Saturday's game he said it had been 'difficult' and in hindsight I'm sure he'd like to rephrase one or two things, but equally I think some fans have totally over reacted and need to give the guy a break. I also think he hides his feelings of insecurity behind a veneer of arrogance and self promotion. That's just his manner.